Dogs Go Grey Just Like Us But If They’re Turning Early, Stress May Be To Blame

Going gray is a natural sign of aging in humans and man’s best friend.

My mother likes to remind me on almost a weekly basis that more than half of the grey hairs on her head are my fault. While most people don’t begin to develop greying hair until they’re well into their late 50s and early 60s, there are some factors that can speed up the process, allowing people as young as their later 20s and early 30s experience premature greying.

But as it turns out, humans aren’t the only ones that are experiencing premature aging. If your dog has gotten grey in the face before their time, stress could be the culprit.

World-renowned animal scientist Temple Gradin has revealed in Applied Animal Behavior Science that the premature greying in dogs may be caused by stress. It could be a symptom of anxiety.

Gradin initiated the study after reports from animal behaviorist Camille King tied anxious dogs to premature greying. She compared this animal behavior to many past U.S. presidents that have experienced severe signs of aging before and after entering office.